Max Verstappen clinches a stunning F3 hat trick

 The Dutchman has boosted his title hopes although Esteban Ocon still has a comfortable lead.

Once again the drivers in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship proved both their skills and sportsmanship and provided a thrilling third and final race on the daunting Spa-Francorchamps circuit. Pole sitter Esteban Ocon (Prema Powerteam) made a good start, but John Bryant-Meisner (Fortec Motorsports) slipstreamed past him in the Combes corner into first place.

Max Verstappen (Van Amersfoort Racing) took the lead on the second lap while Bryant-Meisner slipped up. It was a repeat of the previous evening’s battle with Verstappen in front of Ocon. The Frenchman tried to retake first place from his Dutch rival on several occasions, but as the championship leader explained after the finish, he didn’t want to take undue risks. “I can no longer really go for it; I have to control my championship,” explained the Lotus F1 Team Junior driver. “Max took a few chances. I can’t. We’ve known each other for a long time so I know what limits I mustn’t cross with him when he’s in full risk mode. He pulled off a great overtaking move to snatch first place from me, but honestly if I hadn’t given him a little room we’d have collided. It’s not been the best weekend for me but not a bad one overall in terms of points.”

Despite being under constant pressure from Esteban Ocon and having to cope with the safety car intervention Max Verstappen won the third and last race of the weekend. With a hat trick just a few kilometers from home, Jos Verstappen’s son couldn’t have wished for better. “The three races were all very closely fought and it wasn’t all that easy to win. Since the start of the season I’ve had a few technical problems; I’ve also made a few mistakes but I’m picking up experience. Today, our package is very competitive and I reckon we can still do pretty well in the championship.”

The scrap for third place was even more indecisive than the one for the lead. On several occasions Felix Serralles (Team West-Tec F3) and Gustavo Menezes (Van Amersfoort Racing) swapped the final place on the podium. On the last lap the American got the upper hand over the Porto Rican and he finished third for the second time - as on the previous day - behind Verstappen and Ocon. “It’s certainly the greatest race of my career so far,” laughed a delighted Gustavo Menezes. “My battle with Serralles was pretty tough but always fair. I really couldn’t make a mistake as Latifi and Blomqvist were hot on our heels. I’m happy with this weekend with a pole position and two top-3 finishes. Now, I’m hoping to score a victory before the end of the season.”

Felix Serralles had to make do with fourth in front of Nicholas Latifi (Prema Powerteam) and Tom Blomqvist (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin), who started in 18th place! In the championship Esteban Ocon (268 points) now has a 94-point lead over Tom Blomqvist (174) while Max Verstappen and Lucas Auer are tying for third on 155 points.

Next weekend the drivers in the FIA F3 European Championship will swap the longest circuit of the season for the shortest. Rendez-vous at the Norisring.


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